**It's a Poly-Tastic ExtraVaGanZa!**OR IRENE IRENE GO AWAY!

[mikkiwikki]

mikkiwikki- Just found your TR we were there at the same time. We got there 21st, was scheduled to leave the 28th- the day Irene hit. Well needless to say being from MA we didn't get home that day. We were there 2 more days-Yay! thanks to Irene.
I was even looking at your pool pics to see if my kids were in them LOL. I know what you mean about the pool ALWAYS being crowded!!! That was kinda a bummer.
Did you say what longhouse you were in? We were in Tokelau 3rd floor towards the end near beach. Loved it there.
Enjoying your TR

We arrived on the 20th! 2928 Tokelau. 2nd floor...loved it there...We were originally freaked out because our room was right next to theice machine..BUT I have to say I dont think ANYONE uses the ice machines at all! because we were never disturbed by churning ice noises...haha And YES the pool was ALWAYS crowded.

Oh an Irene was kicking into high drama around this time frame...We began by texting some friends daily who were traveling home on the 28th...Both of our *eldest* children were to START their first day of middle school on August 30th...(yes we are crazy to travel a few days before a huge transition- but instead perhaps - call us adventurous )

I remember distinctly around this time looking up the weather channel and seeing THIS..

HMMM that doesnt look good...DID I MENTION WE ARE FROM VERMONT?

We (and our close friends) were very nervous that our kids were going to miss the first day of middle school due to IRENE? What would happen?
stay tuned!

 

[mikkiwikki]

Yay!!

Oh, and what about a ceramic dog? Do you remember waaay back on Wheel of Fortune when they would pick the prizes after every puzzle and they were always left with a couple hundred dollars that they would have to blow on some overpriced ceramic dog sculpture?

Um If I admit to remembering that I think Im tipping my hand on how old I am or HAR- umph...***OR***
Conversely How good I am at researching these topics via YOUTUBE..lol

CASein point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlfX1j7BXUU
Waaoowww LOOk AT THAT COoL TV?!

 

[jdd]

I'm still here too - been lurking without posting again. We leave tomorrow Really have to get busy finishing up work and packing, but I can resist looking at Poly pictures....we don't have Kona on our schedule right now, but may have to add that

 

[mikkiwikki]

I'm still here too - been lurking without posting again. We leave tomorrow Really have to get busy finishing up work and packing, but I can resist looking at Poly pictures....we don't have Kona on our schedule right now, but may have to add that

cool! GLAD You are still hanging around . YEA!! SO HAPPY for you!
Have a magical time! And hope your Trip report will be shared soon! Ill look for it

 

[mikkiwikki]

On this date we are off to Hollywood Studios!
Here is DD casting me a glare for some Unknown reason

Next my son sought out the Bust of WALT At Hollywood studios and wanted to pose with him....many times

We met up with this great gREen army guy who played alll kinds of games with my DDs map
After that we after going on Toy Story mania multiple times took a few pics. The green men were so awesome..

 

[jdd]

cool! GLAD You are still hanging around . YEA!! SO HAPPY for you!
Have a magical time! And hope your Trip report will be shared soon! Ill look for it

Thanks - very excited Our flight takes off at 6pm and I already have butterflies in my stomach - woke up at 5am

I tried a trip report a couple of years ago (link in my signature), but only made it through the first few days...I went back to finish it (much) later, but the mods had closed it I like reading through it every once in a while, though!

 

[saintstickets]

Here is DD casting me a glare for some Unknown reason

I've seen that look before from my own kids and DW too! It's usually when I have a camera in my hand or I'm trying to act WAY cooler than I really am!

 

[mikkiwikki]

I've seen that look before from my own kids and DW too! It's usually when I have a camera in my hand or I'm trying to act WAY cooler than I really am!

Ya I get that look from DD almost daily these days.
must be the age

 

[mikkiwikki]

DS was adamant that we do SciFi diner on this trip. He loves the corny 50s movie flicks and I have to say DH and I do too!
It actually was a very difficult ADR to get...(mostly because he announced quite close to our departure date that he wanted to go here) so basically daily I was checking for Ressies during FREE DINING...

We ended up securing a lunch reservation. From everything I have read on these boards the key to a fine meal - was to order items that were frequently ordered. We did just that and everyone was very pleased and asking to return in short order. Actually the CM that served us was super kind and took a family picture at the end of our meal..last picture

<<Pic the CM took of us! I was pleased ;-)

 

[QuirkyBelle]

I know how you felt about Irene. My family lives on the Jersey Shore and they were considering evacuating to my place. Luckily they just got some rain and wind, nothing too bad.

Can I just say how jealous I am that you got to ride Toy Story Mania multiple times. The only time I've been there since it opened I couldn't get my family up early so all the fast passes were gone and the line was 2+ hours. We finally got in line 20 minutes before park closing hoping the line would go a little faster. I din't care, I was determined to ride it since it was the only new ride for me. Well after waiting 10 minutes they had us evacuate the line. To say I was unhappy is an understatement. I was soooooo frustrated. Now my mom and I have a day planned at MGM specifially to go on this ride. I will get on it I tell you! I will!

 

[mikkiwikki]

More Hollywood studios pictures.

My kids were SOOO EXCITED TO GO ON THE NEW STAR TOURS..It was their favorite ride of the whole trip...I love how they make it so every time you ride it there is potentially a different ending!

Then after returning to our room at the POLY
I took a few pics of Housekeeping Warm fuzzies

 

[ShesAPirate]

I'd been wavering about going to Sci-Fi, wanting to try all new places this trip (and because it would be OOP for us), but your pictures make me feel good about having a lunch ADR secured. I really love the atmosphere and all the corny sci-fi stuff, too. Thanks for helping me decide!

 

[mikkiwikki]

I know how you felt about Irene. My family lives on the Jersey Shore and they were considering evacuating to my place. Luckily they just got some rain and wind, nothing too bad.

We got nothing for the most part we were very lucky.

Can I just say how jealous I am that you got to ride Toy Story Mania multiple times. The only time I've been there since it opened I couldn't get my family up early so all the fast passes were gone and the line was 2+ hours. We finally got in line 20 minutes before park closing hoping the line would go a little faster. I din't care, I was determined to ride it since it was the only new ride for me. Well after waiting 10 minutes they had us evacuate the line. To say I was unhappy is an understatement. I was soooooo frustrated. Now my mom and I have a day planned at MGM specifially to go on this ride. I will get on it I tell you! I will!

We love toy story mania and make it a big point to go many times - even at the expense of other things.

 

[mikkiwikki]

ALL EARS CAPTN COOKS MENU

Croissant Breakfast Sandwich - Scrambled Eggs, bacon, and Cheddar Cheese on a jumbo croissant $5.99

Tonga Toast - banana-stuffed sourdough bread, battered, deep-fried and dusted with cinnamon and sugar $5.19

Mickey Waffle $4.59

 

[mikkiwikki]

I'd been wavering about going to Sci-Fi, wanting to try all new places this trip (and because it would be OOP for us), but your pictures make me feel good about having a lunch ADR secured. I really love the atmosphere and all the corny sci-fi stuff, too. Thanks for helping me decide!

COOL!

I think actually the food was MUCH better than the last time we went about 3 years ago.. The burgers were cooked to perfection (we asked for medium and they were cooked just right) I ordered the Turkey club. It was multigrain bread that was very fresh, with bacon, and lots of turkey. I loved it - but could not finish! It came with a side of cucumber salad. I remember the waiter telling me I could get either fries or chips...I chose the cukes and they were tossed in vinegar and sugar and were very tasty.

 

[mikkiwikki]

FORGOT to post this earlier...just found
This is our first day checking out the pool after checking out of POP and into the POLY....on our way to the LUAU that never happened...lol
DS had won that guitar in the POP arcade...DD was SoOo excited for the volcano slide! k

My kids loved the pool but wished it was bigger The other thing...is I really don't like being able to see the Grand Floridian from the Poly pool...kinda ruins the - transporting me to the islands idea...non? I ACTUALLY feel more like I'm in the islands at CBR! yes you *maybe* can see Bonnet Creek but its WAYYY off in the distance...not in your face like it is here! Maybe they could put some of that HUMONGEOUS foliage that is blocking parents view of the pool over there! So I don't have to look at GF.

Maybe I'm biased...Ill never forget as a kid seeing that hotel go up and being mad..HaHA..

 

[fromscratchmom]

hehe, I hardly ever get to go to Disney as an adult and I've wanted to stay at the poly since I was ~4 and even I have always thought that ever since they built the GF. Too funny. but I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief so I guess if I ever get to go stay at the poly, I'll probably just decidedly look in some other direction and revel in the island theming whenever and where ever possible.

You know it finally clicked with me while reading some of your quick service reviews how well it could work for me to think in terms of getting more than three meals a day and eating smaller amounts at most or all meals. I can see us, all five of us, splitting a meal or two here and there. And I know I would be happier in the long run if I keep fueled up and never eat a ton at once.

I had been fairly worried about this at times since I have been losing weight and changing lots of things in my thinking and my habits. Thanks for showing how huge some of those meals were and mentioning how many credits y'all used!

 

[mikkiwikki]

Today -we Ran into Epcot with Pure abandon.

Planned was the morning at Future world, and *then* hitting the World Showcase in the afternoon with a planned lunch at Tokyo Dining.

My son was studying Japan last year in school, so this was high on his list of places to go. My son is also an avid Pokemon collector, so we always drop a couple bills at Mitsukoshi

The kids at Journey into your Imagination making music with Fidgit

My kids love the jumping water fountains at JIT....

SO ..much so that my son got nailed with some water....actually he does every trip and loves it. Actually it was kinda funny this trip the "Honey I shrunk the audience show was getting out and my son was trying to get nailed by the jumping water. A big audience got to witness the event..and about 100 people witness him getting totally drenched...they all started laughing...it was fine because he was laughing too...it was quite funny

NEXT UP TOKYO DINING...very very good!

 

[mikkiwikki]

hehe, I hardly ever get to go to Disney as an adult and I've wanted to stay at the poly since I was ~4 and even I have always thought that ever since they built the GF. Too funny. but I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief so I guess if I ever get to go stay at the poly, I'll probably just decidedly look in some other direction and revel in the island theming whenever and where ever possible.

Glad Im not alone fromscratchmom I tried looking the other way I really did!! but its kinda right in your face...wouldnt you agree?

You know it finally clicked with me while reading some of your quick service reviews how well it could work for me to think in terms of getting more than three meals a day and eating smaller amounts at most or all meals. I can see us, all five of us, splitting a meal or two here and there. And I know I would be happier in the long run if I keep fueled up and never eat a ton at once.

I had been fairly worried about this at times since I have been losing weight and changing lots of things in my thinking and my habits. Thanks for showing how huge some of those meals were and mentioning how many credits y'all used!

Glad I could help!

 

[QuirkyBelle]

So I'm guessing you ate at Teppan Edo?

I'm really interested to hear your review. My mom and I had considered eating there for our Candlelight Processional Package dinner, but decided on the Biergarten since we love the atmosphere there (and the price was a bit cheaper ). We'll probably end up eating there during one of our next trips since its one of the few Epcot restaurants we haven't eaten at yet.